The garden in winter
Creating colour in the garden at this time of year has the reputation of being difficult and even pointless as many people argue they're not out in their gardens when it's wet and cold; but what about those beautiful days when the sun is low in the sky and catches the glorious red stems of a cornus?
A good evergreen foil should be the foundation of your garden all year round and it's particularly important through the winter months. It's likely to be the only permanent fixture and will give you a solid background to work with, setting off the rest of your planting scheme.
There are a number of evergreens to suit every garden. If it's a formal style you're after, crisp, clipped yew, box and bay are the right choice. It doesn't have to be wall-to-wall green, deciduous shrubs add value and a mixed border will give a more relaxed feel with dark, bare stems.
Taxus baccata yew
Laurus nobilis sweet bay
Buxus sempervirens box
Camellia japonica camellia

Berries add a burst of colour to the garden as well as providing food for wildlife. These valuable winter jewels come in a surprising range of colours, red being the most obvious but shades of orange, yellow, pink, white and even vibrant purple can be just as spectacular and a talking point.